Agitator for fabric cleaning machine



Nov. 15, 1966 J. Boc 3,285,040

AGITATOR FOR FABRIC CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1965 INVENTOR \5JOHN BOCHAN ms ATTORUEY United States Patent 1 3,285,040 AGITATOR FORFABRIC CLEANING MACHINE John Bochan, Louisville, Ky., assignor toGeneral Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 20,1965, Ser. No. 488,351 6 Claims. (Cl. 68-134) This invention relates tofabric cleaning machines such as clothes washers, and more particularly,to an improved agitator for use in such machines.

Automatic washing machines have been a boon to the American housewifebecause they automatically wash, rinse, and spin dry clothes and otherfabrics without the housewife having to give constant attention to themachine. The more successful automatic washing machines normally includea container means to receive liquid and the fabrics to be cleaned in theliquid and some agitation means for causing relative motion between thevarious parts of the fabrics and the liquid. This agitation meansnormally takes the form of an agitator mounted in an upright or verticalposition within the container and connected to a drive mechanism so thatthe agitator is driven in a suitable manner to effect the washing. Insome machines the agitator is oscillated back and forth in a horizontalplane, in others the agitator is caused to describe an orbiting typemotion and, in still others the agitator is caused to wobble about agenerally vertical axis.

In each of these devices the washing action is a result of the agitatordelivering power to the clothes. This washing power normally isdelivered by means of a number of primary vanes disposed about the lowerportion of the agitator so as to move through the liquid as the agitatoris moved by the drive mechanism. The uniformity of the washing actiondepends upon the uniformity with which the primary vanes deliver powerto the various fabrics. Thus, for a uniformly clean wash the clothesmust be moved within the liquid container so that each of the fabrics inturn is brought into the area at which the vanes are transferring power.This movement of the clothes is called turn over.

Most of theagitators on the market today, as a result of their basicmotion, will cause the clothes within the container to turn over whenthe container is not heavily loaded. They normally cause a toroidalmotion of the water and clothes wherein the flow is downwardly aroundthe agitator, outwardly between the vanes and across the bottom of thecontainer, upwardly along the outer perimeter of the container andinwardly adjacent the upper surface of the liquid. However, as thefabric load size increases the density of the clothes increases andovercomes or at least greatly reduces the turn over effect of the vanes.When this happens the body of clothes tend to form a ring around theouter periphery of the container. Thus, particularly for large loadswith respect to the container and agitator, some additional means isneeded to improve the turn over.

In the prior art a number of expedients have been tried, none of whichhas had complete success. The primary vanes have been made flexible inthe horizontal plane so as to push outwardly with greater force.However, this doesnt solve the problem because the weight of the ring ofclothes still overcomes the upward motion of the Water along the outerperiphery of the container. Rigid vanes have been provided extending upalong the center post of the agitator. Such vanes help to some degreebut are far from satisfactory. Their principal model of operation is totend to cause garments to wrap around the center post of the agitatorthus pulling them inwardly so that they may more easily be pulleddownwardly into the area of primary vanes. Such an arrangement helps bytaking "ice clothes from the top of the clothes ring but it provides noreal downward push to the fabrics.

Some degree of downward push has been obtained in the past by formingthe vanes extending upwardly along the center post with curved or spiralconfiguration. Although this helps to some extent, the effect isactually relatively slight. Regardless of the basic movement of theagitator, the vanes essentially move back and forth within the liquid.Thus, as they are moving in one direction, they tend to force clothesand liquid downwardly; however, when they move in the other direction,they tend to force the clothes and liquid upwardly. The only benefitresults from the difference in the downward and the upward force, whichis small at best.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an improvedagitator for use in fabric cleaning machines such as clothes washerswhich impro'ves the turn over of the fabrics within the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide such an agitator which iseffective to positively force liquid and fabrics downwardly along theagitator center post.

A further, more specific object of my invention is to provide such anagitator including secondary vanes which are mounted above the primaryvanes and have arms which flex vertically downwardly.

In one aspect of my invention I provide an agitator adapted for use in afabric cleaning machine such as a washing machine having a liquid andfabric receiving container and a drive mechanism. The agitator includesa center post for mounting within the container in a generally verticalorientation, the center post being adapted for connection to the drivemechanism for movement thereby. The lower portion of the agitator isprovided with a plurality of primary vanes extending outwardly therefromto deliver power to fabrics in the container. The agitator is furtherprovided with a plurality of secondary vanes mounted on the center postabove the primary vanes. The secondary vanes are flexible in agene-rally vertical plane to force liquid and fabrics downwardly alongthe center post to the inner end of the primary vanes.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portions of thespecification. My invent-ion, however, both as to organization andmethod of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, FIGURE 1 is a schematic front elevational view of aclothes washing machine including one form of my new and improvedagitator, the view being partly in section to illustrate details; and

FIGURE 2 is a schematic front elevational view of a clothes washingmachine similer to FIGURE 1, including another form of my new andimproved agitator.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, there is shown therein, inschematic form, an agitator type washing machine generally indicated bythe numeral 1. Machine 1 includes a clothes basket 2 having perforations3 over its side and bottom walls and disposed within an outerimperforate tub or casing 4, basket 2 and tub 4 together forming aliquid and fabric receiving container. This entire structure is normallymounted within a suitable appearance and protective cabinet which, inthis case, has been omitted for sake of clarity.

In the center of basket 2 there is provided an agitator 6 which ismounted in a generally vertical orientation and includes a center post7. Extending outwardly from the lower port-ion of the center post are aplurality of vanes 8 which are mounted on the post at their base in somesuitable manner such as by molding the post and vanes together from asuitable plastic material. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1, thevanes 8 are the primary vanes and are formed to flex is a generallyhorizontal plane, that is about the axis of the agitator. It isimmaterial whether the vanes 8 are flexible or inflexible, as there aresuitable configurations of both types for transferring power to theliquid and fabrics received within the container. However, by way ofillustration, the vanes 8 may be made flexible by molding the agitator,including the vanes, of a suitable plastic material such aspolypropylene. A plurality of. secondary vanes 9 are mounted on theupper portion of the center post 7 in a manner similar to the vanes 8.Each of the secondary vanes 9 includes a base portion 10 which isconnected to the center post 7 and a free-hanging arm 11. Thefreehanging arms 11 are spaced slightly from the center post 7 andextend generally parallel thereto. The arms 11 are formed to flex in thevertical direction so as to force liquid and fabrics downwardly to theinner ends of primary vanes 8. Forthis purpose the secondary vanes 9 mayalso be molded integrally with the center post from suitable plasticsuch as polypropylene.

Both the basket 2 and agitator 6 are movably mounted. Conventionally,the basket is mounted for rotation and the agitator is mounted for sometype of oscillatory motion which will effect a washing action on theclothes or other fabrics in the basket. In one conventional structure,basket 2 may be secured to the hollow shaft member 12, and the agitatormay be secured to a shaft 13 which extends upwardly within shaft 12 inrotatable relationship therewith.

Basket 2 and agitator 6 are driven from a reversible motor 14 through adrive mechanism including a clutch 15 mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch15 allows the motor to start without load and then to pick up the loadas it comes up to speed. A suitable belt 16 transmits power to atransmission assembly 17 through a pulley 18. Thus, depending upon thedirection of motor rotation, pulley 18 of transmission 17 is driven inopposite directions.

Transmission 17 is so arranged that it supports and drives both ofshafts 12 and 13. When motor 14 is rotated in one direction thetransmission causes agitator 6 to be oscillated through shaft 13.Conversely, when the motor is driven in the opposite direction thetransmission drives both basket 2 and agitator 6 together at high speedthrough shafts 12 and 13 for centrifugal extraction of liquid from thefabrics. While a particular form of the drive mechanism does not formpart of the present invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225issued on July 22, 1958 to James R. Hubbard et al., and owned by theGeneral Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patentdiscloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmissionsuitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In order to introduce washing and rinsing liquid into the containerformed by basket 2 and tub 4, suitable conduit means 19 and 20 areprovided'for connection to hot and cold water supplies to lead hot andcold water to a supply valve 21 of the machine. The passage of hot andcold water may be controlled by solenoids 22 and 23. Energization ofsolenoid 22 permits the passage of cold water through the valve,energization of solenoid 23 permits the passage of hot water through thevalve, while energization of both solenoids permits mixing of hot andcold water in the valve and passage of warm water therefrom through anoutlet conduit 24. Water passing from outlet conduit 24 flows through anozzle 25 into the container. A conventional pressure-sensitive switch26 may be provided in the bottom of tub 4 to deenergize whichever ofsolenoids 22 and 23 are energized when the proper level of liquid isreached in tub 4 so as to shut ofi the supply of water.

-agitator are designated with In addition to operating transmission 17as described, motor 14 also provides a direct drive through a flexiblecoupling 27 to a pump structure, generally indicated by the numeral 28,which includes separate pumping units 29 and 30, both of which areoperated in the same direction simultaneously by motor 14. Pump unit 29has an inlet connected by a conduit 31 to an opening 32 formed at thelowermost point of tub 4. Pump unit 29 also has an outlet connected to aconduit 33 which leads to a drain (not shown). Pump unit 29 is formed sothat it tends to pump toward the opening 32 during washing operation,but .during spinning of the agitator and basket the pump unit 29 drawsliquid from opening 32 through conduit 31 and discharges it throughconduit 33 to drain.

Pump uni-t 30 has an inlet which is connected by a conduit 34 to theinterior of tub 4, preferably adjacent the bottom thereof, and also hasan outlet connected by a conduit 35 to a nozzle 36 positioned todischarge liquid back into basket 2 and tub 4. During wash, or the firstdirection of motor rotation, pump unit 30 draws liquid in throughconduit 34 and discharges it through conduit 35. During spin, or theopposite direction of motor rotation, pump unit 30 is substantiallyineffective. A suitable filter may be positioned so that the liquidrecirculated through conduit 35 and nozzle 36 is filtered to remove lintand dirt particles prior to its re-entry into the tub and basket 2. Forinstance a suitable filter pan may be mounted on the top of agitator 6so that the liquid would enter if, and, after being filtered, would fallback into the basket 2.

In the embodiments shown pump units 29 and 30 are -'turbine type pumpsand both are driven by motor 14, it being well known that turbine typepumps reverse their pumping direction when their direction of rotationis reversed. However, in the direction of rotation in which they are notpumping liquid from tub 4, both of the pumping units are substantiallyineffective, merely tending to pump air into tu-b 4.

During the agitation portions of the Washer operation motor 14 drivestransmission -17 so as to oscillate agitator 6 about a generallyvertical axis. This oscillation of the agitator causes the primary vanes8 to flex in a horizontal plane through the lower portion of basket 2,thus imparting power to the body of liquid and the clothes contained inthe basket. This oscillatory motion tends to cause a toroidal motion ofthe fabrics and liquid wherein they move outwardly across the bottom ofthe basket, upwardly along the outer periphery of the basket, inwardlyat the upper level of the body of liquid and downwardly along centerpost 7. If a large load of fabrics is being washed they tend toeffectively damp this toroidal motion so that uneven and unsatisfactorywashing results. However, the arms 11 of secondary vanes 9 flex in agenerally vertical plane, that is generally parallel to center post 7.This flexing action has little cleansing effect on the fabrics becauseof the relatively small size of the arms. However, this vertical flexingof the arms causes a positive displacement downwardly of the liquid andfabrics adjacent the center post 7. This positive displacementdownwardly substantially adds to the turn over capability of theagitator and results in a uniform washing action even with very highdensity fabric loads in the machine.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown therein, in schematic form, awashing machine similar to the one shown in FIGURE 1, except for adifferent form of agitator. For this reason all components apart fromthe the same numerals as FIG- URE 1.

In the embodiment of FIGURE 2, an agitator 40 is mounted on shaft 13 ina generally vertical orientation and includes a center post 41 having anoutwardly flared skirt 42 formed at its lower portion. A number ofprimary vanes 43 are mounted on the lower portion of the center post,including the flared skirt 42, by some suitable method such as molding.By this method of connecting the vanes to the center post and by makingthem relatively thick, these primary vanes 43 are substantially rigid. Aplurality of secondary vanes 44 are mounted around the upper end ofcenter post 41 and include base portions 45, which are connected to thecenter post by some suitable means such as molding therewith, and freehanging arm portions 46 which extend downwardly from the base portionsin generally parallel, spaced relationship with center post 41. Theoperation of agitator 40 is substantially the same as that of aigtator 6in FIGURE 1. During agitation operation of the machine, the center post40 is oscillated about a generally vertical axis through shaft 13. As aresult of this oscillation primary vanes 43 force the liquid and fabricsgenerally outwardly along the lower portion of basket 2 and tend tocause it to rise along the outer periphery of the basket 2, flowinwardly along the top surface of the body of liquid to the center post41, and downwardly again to primary vanes 43. However, as explainedabove, a dense load of clothes will effectively damp out this toroidalmotion, were it not for the presence of the secondary vanes, whose armsflex in a vertical plane to positively force the liquid and fabricsdownwardly along center post 41.

While both the embodiments of FIGURES 1 and 2 show agitators which areoscillated about a generally vertical axis, my invention is notrestricted to the particular structures shown. For example, it will beobvious to one skilled in the art that, with minor obvious changes, myinvention may be utilized in a washing machine wherein the agitator iscaused to orbit about a generally vertical axis or to wobble about agenerally vertical axis.

My new and improved agitator is of substantial benefit to the homelaundry industry today because of its efforts to increase the loadcapacity of washing machines without increasing their size. However, itwill be recognized that my new and improved agitator is not limited towhat are commonly called high load machines but will substantiallyincrease the washing cap-ability of any size machine.

It will be understood that, while in accordance with the patentstatutes, I have described what at present are considered to be thepreferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the invention, and it is therefore aimedin the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications asfall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. An agitator adapted to effect cleaning of fabrics in a washingmachine or similar device having a liquid and fabric receiving containerand a drive mechanism; said agitator comprising:

(a) a center post for mounting generally vertically in the container,said center post being adapted for connection to the drive mechanism;

(-b) a plurality of primary vanes mounted on the lower portion of saidpost and extending outwardly therefrom to deliver power to liquid andfabrics in the container;

(c) and a plurality of secondary vanes mounted on said post above saidprimary vanes and being flexible in a generally vertical plane to forceliquid and fabrics downwardly toward said primary vanes.

2. An agitator as set forth in claim 1 whehein each of said secondaryvanes includes a base portion attached to said center post and afree-hanging arm portion flexible in a generally vertical plane.

3. An agitator as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said primaryvanes is flexible in a generally horizontal plane.

4. An agitator as set forth in claim .1 wherein said primary vanes aresubstantially rigid.

5. An agitator adapted to effect cleaning of fabrics in a Washingmachine or similar device having a liquid and fabric receiving containerand a drive mechanism; said agitator comprising:

(a) a center post for mounting generally vertically in the container,said center post being adapted for connection to the drive mechanism;

(b) a plurality of primary vanes mounted on the lower portion of saidcenter post and freely extending outwardly therefrom to flex in agenerally horizontal plane;

(c) and a plurality of secondary vanes including base portions mountedon said center post in vertically spaced relationship with said primaryvanes and freehanging arm portions flexible in a generally verticalplane.

6. An agitator adapted to effect cleaning of fabrics in a washingmachine or similar device having a liquid and fabric receiving containerand a drive mechanism; said agitator comprising:

(a) a center post for mounting generally vertically in the containersaid center post being adapted for connection to the drive mechanism andincluding an outwardly flared skirt at its lower end;

(b) a plurality of substantially rigid vanes mounted on the lowerportion of said post including said flared skirt for movement therewith;

(c) and a plurality of secondary vanes including base portions mountedon said center post in vertically spaced relationship with said primaryvanes and freehanging arm portions flexible in a generally verticalplane.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,716,960 6/1929Hirschy 68-134 1,737,421 11/1929 Hirschy 68-134 1,745,595 2/1930Altorfer 68-133 1,955,403 4/1934 Barker 68-134 X 2,021,097 -1 1/ 1935Maus 68-133 2,619,827 12/1952 Castricone 68-134 X 3,112,632 12/1963Walton 68-54 FOREIGN PATENTS 757,412 9/1956 Great Britain.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner.

1. AN AGITATOR ADAPTED TO EFFECT CLEANING OF FABRICS IN A WASHINGMACHINE OR SIMILAR DEVICE HAVING A LIQUID AND FABRIC RECEIVING CONTAINERAND A DEVICE MECHANISM; SAID AGITATOR COMPRISING: (A) A CENTER POST FORMOUNTING GENERALLY VERTICALLY IN THE CONTAINER, SAID CENTER POST BEINGADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO THE DRIVE MECHANISM; (B) A PLURALITY OFPRIMARY VANES MOUNTED ON THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID POST AND EXTENDINGOUTWARDLY THEREFROM TO DELIVER POWER TO LIQUID AND FABRICS IN THECONTAINER; (C) AND A PLURALITY OF SECONDARY VANES MOUNTED ON SAID POSTABOVE SAID PRIMARY VANES AND BEING FLEXIBLE IN A GENERALLY VERTICALPLANE TO FORCE LIQUID AND FABRICS DOWNWARDLY TOWARD SAID PRIMARY VANES.